We’re ready for another installment of our Local Wedding Guide! We’re selecting various locations to highlight the numerous resources available from our vendor guide members and their favorite pros they love to work with. We’ve tackled four states so far: North Carolina, Texas, and Massachusetts, and Florida. Now we’re onto the Pacific Northwest! Most vendors love to travel, so fret not if you’re not in their immediate area!

What is your favorite tip for couples for being photographed on their wedding day?Gemmer Photography: It’s sincerely all about forgetting we’re here! Honestly! A lot of people feel awkward being in front of the camera, and have so many hopes and dreams hanging on what they dream their wedding photographs will look like, that they get too preoccupied with it. Channel your emotions into every moment… do the things you would do normally… whether you feel silly, quirky, or goofy! The truer to yourself & the way you process emotion typically will ensure that you get teary-eyed when you see yourself in the midst of true bliss years after when you’re looking at your memories. So, practice shedding your self-consciousness… and fix your eyes on your love… let the day sweep you away!
Julie of Julie Randall: If you’re feeling uncomfortable, say something! It’s my goal to make you and your partner feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera.

Tell us a little bit about you.Gemmer Photography: We’re quirky, nerdy, & madly in love with each other! We think that trickles down into our work! We’re saps. We love {love}, and we strive to be known to take a non-traditional approach to documenting wedded bliss! We are a small family-owned business, so we don’t outsource jobs or book as many weddings as possible in the summer, just to wait until the winter months to start editing couple’s wedding photographs. plus, we love to have open dialogue and brainstorming communication from the moment our clients book us up until the wedding and beyond! The more we communicate, dream, and plan together, the sweeter!
Julie of Julie Randall: I strive to tell the narrative of the day in a relaxed, unobtrusive manner. I want you and your partner to feel relaxed, comfortable, and confident in front of the camera. I aim to show the true emotion of the day and all the gorgeous details. You may get silliness from me, but never gimmicky cheesiness.

Any favorite photo spots for engagement sessions or must see sightings?Gemmer Photography: We always say be different! Find some unique location! Don’t just take your engagement photographs at a popular must-see spot, unless it has significant presence in your lives.
Julie of Julie Randall: Think about having your engagement shoot in a location that’s completely different from your wedding. Say if you’re getting married on the Coast, you can have the shoot downtown where we walk around, grab a beer or coffee, maybe some ice cream!

Tell us a little bit about you.
Rebekah of A & B Creative: I offer brides the design-savvy for the vision they’ve dreamed of in a budget-savvy way!

Any favorite photo spots for engagement sessions or must see sightings?
Rebekah of A & B Creative: I love Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, the top of Bald Hill or Avery Park in Corvallis, Diamond Lake or Mount Thielsen, or Crater Lake. We’re so lucky that in Oregon gorgeous fields, barns and forests are aplenty, you can basically drive in any direction and find gorgeous inspiration for e-sessions!

What is your favorite tip for couples for being photographed on their wedding day?
Jessica Ho of Jessica May Photography: Just have fun!

Tell us a little bit about you.
Jessica Ho of Jessica May Photography: I love love love getting to know my clients! I enjoy taking them out for lunch and or coffee to chat and talk about how they met, ideas for their wedding day, etc.

Any favorite photo spots for engagement sessions or must see sightings?
Jessica Ho of Jessica May Photography: I heart big open spaces!

Bellingham, WA:

Tell us a little bit about you.
Aubrey of Aubrey Joy Photography: Because my goal is to make you look your best, you will have fun working with me, and that will really reflect in the photos I take. Lots of couples tell me that the photoshoot was the most fun they had at a wedding, what a compliment! I love what I do and it shows in my work. I’m very drawn to soft romantic light and natural backgrounds. I think shooting in places like this really makes an image timeless.